Specific Aims: The goal of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of risperidone augmentation in patients with major depression who failed to respond, or only partially responded, to an adequate trial of an antidepressant medication. Patients who met this criteria received adjunctive risperidone (1- 3 mg.) for an additional four-week treatment trial.

Methods/Design: Patients who met criteria for unipolar depression and failed to respond, or partially responded, to an adequate trial of antidepressant medication were randomized to risperidone or a placebo for an additional 4 week treatment trial while continuing on the same dose of their antidepressant medication. Randomization was at a 2:1 ratio of risperidone to placebo.

Data Analysis: Patient outcome (recovery status) of the two treatment conditions were compared using a MADRS rating < 10 to denote remission while improvement was defined as a 50% decrease from baseline to end of study. Odds ratio were examined to see if risperidone augmentation significantly affected the chance of recovery from depression at the end of 4 weeks of treatment.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 65 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

patients with major depression or partially remitted depression

currently receiving an adequate trial of an antidepressant

Exclusion Criteria:

diagnosis of bipolar I or bipolar II disorder

psychotic features

substance dependence or abuse in the past three months

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00174577